In addition, he was also the final torchbearer at Vancouver 2010, lighting the outdoor cauldron in the city.

The great will lend his name to the KRS–Gretzky Hockey School, which Red Star will open in Beijing and the southern city of Shenzhen.

There are plans to expand the programme across China, with up to 20 locations expected in the next five years.

Kunlun Red Star, who play in the Chinese capital, compete in the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League.

The Red Star will open the KRS-Gretzky Hockey School to provide youth players a higher level of hockey training. The first schools will open in Shenzhen and Beijing, in September. Gretzky will visit the country from Sept 12 to 18, making stops in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.